Shaping method and apparatus



I June 16, 1936. I ADAMS, JR 2,044,042 A SHAPING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 16, 1936. J. L. ADAMS, JR

SHAPING METHODAND APPARATUS Filed Dec. 1'7, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3- INVEN'II'OR June 16, 1936. ADAMS, JR 2,044,042

SHAPING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Dec. 17, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MogjVENTOR lm,%wzm )6 Patented June 16, 1936 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,044,042 SHAPING METHOD AND APPARATUS Application December 1'i 1931, Serial No. 581,633

10 Claims.

The present invention relates broadly to the art of metal working, and more particularly to the phase thereof concerned with metal tube rolling, although the utility of the invention is 5 applicable to any branch of the metal working art including a circular or a contour pass through which material travels, and more especially a roll pass composed of a plurality of rolls. having peripheral portions so disposed as to define the i contour of such a pass. Such roll passes may comprise any desired number of rolls, although from two .or three to five or more rolls are customarily utilized. The utility ofthe invention, however, is not limited in this respect.

It has heretofore been customary in the art both in forming a roll pass initially, and in resurfacing the pass, to individually shape and finish the rolls, the machinist bringing them as nearly as he could to what was thought to be the 20 proper shape. The bearings were also accurately machined and fitted in an attempt to get as nearly the desired contour in the pass as possible with all of the parts assembled. Even though these operations were carried out by the most skillful and as accurate workmen normally available, deviations 1 in contour from the desired shape were often present, it belug -practically impossible to separately machine all of the parts and then put them together in such manner as to form a perfectly 30' shaped pass. This is especially true where the pass consists of from three to five or more rolls.

The present invention has for one of its objects the production of a precision pass which, for all practical purposes, is a true circle or other predetermined shape, and also the production and maintenance of such a pass more easily, quickly,

and at less expense, both as to time and labor, than has been possible with the methods hereto fore used.

Another object of the invention is to eifect a surfacing of the rolls after the same have all been assembled together, thereby not only facilitating and speeding up the roll finishing operation, but insuring a morenearly truly contoured T circular or other determined pass.

The invention is applicable not only to the initial formation of the pass, but to the maintenance of the desired contour therein by finallyfinishing the rolls or othervpass forming means in place, from time to time as wear and use may require.

My invention can be carried out by suitably moving a cutting tool very slowly around the pass contour while at the same time rotating the 55 rolls slowly under their own power, but in the accompanying drawings there is shown by way of I illustration only, a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as'arranged for circular con tour grinding only. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view, with certain of the parts in elevation, showing one form of pass grinding means in accordance with the present invention; a

Figure 2 is a view partly in end elevation, and partly in section along the line II-II of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but on an enlarged scale for the purpose of showing certain details of construction; and

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the roll grinding mechanism, the view being taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows and with certain of the parts rotated to a diflerent position than that of Figure 3.-

In the drawings the invention is illustrated as applied for use in connection with a roll pass constituting part of a welding machine, or a pipe straightening machine. While such an illustration serves for purposes of a clearer understand-- 'ing of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in this respect, it being equally applicable to any substantially circular pass, or to any other determined contour readily attainable, as before pointed out. 30

Before entering into a detailed description of the drawings, it may be pointed out that in order to grind a substantially truly circular pass, there are certain requirements which must be satisfactorily met. In the first place, the grinder itself must be rotatable about its own axis. Secondly, the diameter of the grinding element should be less than the desired diameter of the finished pass so that the element has a limited zone of action at all times. Thirdly, the entire element in addition to rotating, must be caused to have a planetary motion so as to cause the grinding portion thereof to successively contact progressive points peripherally of the pass. Lastly, the mountings and feed adjustments must be such as to permit such movements to be easily and accurately obtained, and readily maintained in spite of normal cutter wear,'while the entire'device is supported in cooperative relation to the pass. Furthermore,

, in the case of a roll pass,the rolls themselves will preferably be very slowly and continuously rotated around their own axes during the surfacing operation, so that the entire peripheries thereof will be subjected progressively to the desired snap Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a frame 2 in which is mounted a series of rolls 3 defining the pass which is to be ground in accordance with the present invention. Cooperating with the roll frame is a grinder frame herein illustrated as comprising a series of arms 4 adapted to be secured to the frame 2 so as to support the grinder in the desired concentric or operative relation to the rolls and pass axis. The grinder frame includes a horizontally projecting bracket 5 in which is carried a king pin 8 forming a rotatable mounting for a U-shaped motor bracket 1, and permitting the motor bracket to swing about a substantially vertical axis A-A including the axis of the king pin, and hereinafter referred to as the grinding motor axis.

Between the arms of the U-bracket I is journalled a grinding motor 8 on trunnions 9, the trunnions forming a second pivotal or swinging mounting along the axis B-B, Figure 2, for the grinding motor 3 effective iii a direction substantially normal to the axis A-A, and forming in effect a universal mounting for the grinding motor, permitting it to be adjusted in any direction at will about a plurality of substantially normally extending, mutually intersecting axes.

The armature of the motor drives a grinder shaft II on which is located a grinding element illustrated as having its edges relieved to provide a limited grinding zone C at the periphery of the element. When the motor 8 is operated, the grinding element may be caused to rotate about its own axis in contact with a limited portion of one of the rolls 3. If the parts were continuously retained in this position, one of the rolls 3 would be unevenly ground at the expense of the otherrolls. To obviate this action and insure uniformity of grinding, it is necessary to bodily rotate the grinding element in an orbit around an axis DD extending through the point of intersection of the axes AA and B-B, and intersecting the desired true center of the finished pass.

This movement is obtained by providing within the grinder frame a rotatable bushing l2. The bushing 2, as illustrated more particularly in Figure 3 of the drawings, is adapted to be continuously and slowly rotated about the axis D-D by means of a motor I, hereinafter described as the orbital motor. The orbital motor drives a worm li'meshing with a worm wheel l6 keyed to a shaft II. This shaft, which is mounted in suitable bearings in the grinder frame, carries a worm ll continuously in mesh with teeth l9 formed in the periphery of thebushing l2, so that upon operation of the orbital motor I, the bushing I2 is continuously rotated.

Cooperating with the bushing I2 is a fixed bushing 20, the bushings I2 and 20 having their inner surfaces machined to form a bearing for a ball shaped bushing 2| having an opening eccentrically formed therein with respect to its periphery. Journalled in this opening is a second eccentric bushin 22. In accordance with the preferred method of construction, the eccentricity of the ball shaped bushing 2| is exactly equal to the eccentricity of the bushing 22, whereby with the two parts in proper relationship, 1. e., offset one with respect to the other, they will provide an opening concentric to the axis of the ball shaped bushing 2|. By relatively adJusting these parts, however, the amount of eccentricity of the opening may be varied at will. In this opening there is carried an anti-friction bearing 23 for the grinder shaft l0. Relative adjustment o the bushings 2| and 22 enables the grinder shaft to be adjusted radially by any desired amount at the will of the operator;

This relative adjustment is obtained by providing the eccentric 22 with teeth 24 around its periphery, which teeth are engaged by a worm 25 on a shaft 28 carrying at its outer end a star wheel 21. The star wheel may be either periodically rotated by hand, or may be automatically rotated during the operation of the grinder by a finger 28 carried by the grinder frame.

For insuring the desired planetary or orbital movement of the grinder when the bushing I2 is rotated, this bushing and the ball shaped bushing 2| are keyed together by a ball key 29 working in an elongated slot 3|! in the periphery of the bushing 2|. This construction insures concomitant rotation of the parts, but permits the grinder shaft to swing about both the axis AA and the axis B-B during its operation. Thus, the grinding zone C is caused to progressively travel around the inner surface of the pass, and contact successive peripheral portions thereof in such manner that the entire pass defining surface of the rolls 3 is subjected to a uniform grinding action.

To insure grinding the entire periphery of each of the rolls 3 uniformly, they are in turn caused to very slowly rotate about their own axes, and the operation is continued until the desired configuration of the pass is obtained.

The grinder is illustrated as being substantially encased between dust shields 3| and 32, located on opposite sides of the wheel II, and provided with felts or other suitable wipers 33 continuously in engagement with the roll peripheries; but this is not an essential element. All anti-friction bearings are of course similarly protected by small felt dust shield rings, or wipers.

By mounting the grinder on anti-friction bearings of the character herein illustrated, rotation of the grinder is facilitated. By relieving the edges of the grinding wheel, thus narrowing down the width of the wheel in contact with the work, the tendency otherwise present to clog up or load" the grinding surface, is in considerable part overcome.

In accordance with the present invention, it is not necessary to finish grind the rolls which are to form the roll pass, prior to inserting them in a mill. As an actual matter of fact, it is preferable to take the turned but unground rolls, and then rotate them about their own axes in position in the roll stand while the grinder is in operation, continuing the grinding until the rolls are of the proper contour. 'By this means, a practically perfect pass can be initially obtained prior to the commencement of operation of the mill, or it can be maintained thereafter by regrinding during the use of the mill without dismantling the roll pass, and in considerably less time and at a much less expense than has heretofore been possible.

In practicing the invention in connection with rolls of hard steel, I have found that desirable results are accomplished by utilizing a relatively soft grade of grinding wheel, of silicon carbide type with bakelite binder, and soaking the wheel well with ordinary machine oil before it is used. It will be understood, however, that this is not an essential part of the'present invention, the invention contemplating the use of any type of surfacing element or tool most suitable to the purposes.

From the foregoing description taken in con- 2 nection with the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that my invention provides a method and apparatus which rapidly rotating said element transverse to the satisfactorily answers the requirements for formmotion of said rolls, a universal mounting for ing and maintaining a proper circular or other said motor, and means for repeatedly moving said readily derivable pass. The different charactermotor slowly about said universal mounting dur- 5 istic movements of the grinder, including rotaing rotation of said element, said means includ- 5 tion about its own axis, orbital movement about ing an automatically adjusted eccentric mounting the axis of the roll pass, together with accurate for said element to feed the latter, and means for adjustment of the parts, can all be obtained at a slowly and repeatedly rotating said eccentric minimum cost and in a minimum of time, and mounting.

with correspondingly greater accuracy in the con- 5. In an apparatus for accurately surfacing an 10 tour obtained, than by the use of the customary assembled roll pass to a predetermined contour, means previously utilized. a surfacing tool mounted on a shaft, and means While I have herein illustrated anddescribed including an eccentric mounted for universal certain preferred features of the invention, it will movement for slowly carrying s'aid toolv progresbe understood that changes in the construction sively around the desired contour of said roll pass 15 and operation disclosed herein, as well as in the in substantially the plane of the latter. position and operation of the parts and their 6. In an apparatus for accurately surfacing details of construction, may be made without dean assembled roll pass to a predetermined conparting either from the spirit of the present intour, a surfacing tool mounted on a shaft, means vention or the scope of my broader claims. For for carrying the working face of said tool pro- 0 example, by making use of an additional eccengressively around the desired contour of said roll tric sleeve mounted between the present inner pass including a bearing for said shaft supported one and the shaft, and utilizing a somewhat in aneccentric mounted for universal movement, smaller grinding wheel diameter, and appropriand means for adjusting the final mean diameate driving gearing for such added eccentric, it ter of the finished pass. 25 becomes possible to grind an elliptical pass, or 7. In an apparatus for accurately surfacing an one similar to a square with well rounded corners, assembled circular roll pass, a surfacing tool or a similarly rounded triangle, etc. But as my mounted on a shaft, means for carrying the workclaims specifically refer to illustrated construc- 'ing face of said tool progressively around the tions, these obvious modifications are not shown central axis of said roll pass and substantially 30 on the drawings, being here cited simply to show in the plane of the latter, including a universally the possibilities of the process. A lathe tool mounted eccentric supporting a bearing for the might be utilized instead of a rotating grinder, shaft, and a, universally mounted motor directand carried slowly around the pass orbit, with connected to the shaft.

the rolls in rotation against it. In this construc- 8. In an apparatus for accurately surfacing an 3 tion all high speed axial rotation is dispensed assembled roll pass to a predetermined contour, with, but the same accuracy of result is accoma surfacing tool mounted on a shaft, means for plished to a measurable degree, at least. carrying said tool progressively around the c ni tour of said roll pass, a motor direct-connected 1, In a grinding apparatus, a grinder frame, to the shaft, and means pivotally supporting the a motor supported by said frame for movement motor for universal movement, whereby said surabout a plurality of substantially normal mutufacing tool engages the working faces of the rolls ally intersecting axes, a motor shaft, a grindforming said pass.

ing element carried by said shaft, a support for 9. An apparatus for surfacing a moving roll said shaft including a plurality of eccentrics, pass including a roll stand arranged to mount means for adjusting one of said eccentrics relaand drive pass-forming rolls journaled therein, tively to the other, and means for rotating said comprising a surfacing machine frame mounted support, on said roll stand, a power-driven shaft mounted 2. In a grinding apparatus, a grinder frame, a upon said frame and having a surfacing member motor supported by said frame for movement thereon substantially within the plane of said roll about a plurality of substantially normal mutupass, automatic means carrying said surfacing ally intersecting axes, a motor shaft, a grinding member through a predetermined orbit around element carried by said shaft, a support for said said roll pass and in contact with said rolls, said shaft including a plurality of eccentrics, means means including an eccentric universally mountfor adjusting one of said eccentrics relatively to, ed and having a bearing for said shaft, and feed- 0 the other, and means for rotating said support, ing means forsaid surfacing member operable said last mentioned means including a second to increase the cut on the moving rolls. ;v t r carried by said frame. I 10. An apparatus for surfacing a roll pass in- 3. In an apparatus for accurately surfacing a eluding a roll stand frame adapted to support 60 rotating, assembled, single-plane roll pass, a surand drive pass-forming rolls mounted rotatably facing tool progressively movable slowly transtherein, comprising a tool support secured to said verse to the general roll surface motion, an eccenframe, a bearing pivoted on the support for unitric carrying said tool, a surrounding eccentric versalmovement,ashaftjournaled therein,acuto5 mounting the first eccentric and very slowly roting element carried on the shaft and adapted to tatable automatically and relative thereto so as to engage said rolls substantially in the plane of provide a slow, radial feed for said tool, and said roll pass, means operatively actuating said means for continuously and slowly rotating both cutting element while so supported, and assoeccentrics together'as one unit to carry said surelated means causing said cut-ting element t a ng i001 rep atedly around the desired p travel in a predetermined orbital path about a 70 contour and in substa a y the Plane of said point on the axis of the element but spaced latpass. erally thereof, during the rotation of the driven 4. In an apparatus for re-surfacing the rolls of rolls and transverse of the surface movement a roll stand, a tool-frame secured thereto. a cutthereof. ting element supported by said frame, a motor for JAMES L. ADAMS, JR. 7 

